Grief & healing: Try to avoid leaving unfinished business

It is a good practice to avoid unfinished business. My dear Baheej followed this principle, and I try to do that too.

By this I mean things left undone:

• A trip not taken. If possible, go while you can. Fulfill your dream. It will help. Travel is so enriching.

• A loving message not said. Say it now

• An apology not given. This is not as hard as imagined.

• A favor not done. Doing for others is very positive for both.

• An invitation not given. Make it right away.

• A letter not written. Doesn’t take long.

• An argument not resolved. Usually there’s a solution.

• A mistake not corrected. Find a solution.

One of very problematic aspects of grief is having regrets — “should have,” “could have.” Well, so what can we do about this before it’s too late?

So the point is: Live the best life we can. Try to take care of business. Try not to procrastinate. Everyone makes mistakes, but most can be corrected. And we carry and benefits from our dear ones for a lifetime.

• Susan Anderson-Khleif of Sleepy Hollow has a doctorate in family sociology from Harvard, taught at Wellesley College and is a retired Motorola executive. Contact her at sakhleif@aol.com.